I have been taking notes on all the great advice posts for travel to Costa Rica. Myself, husband and another couple will be making our first trip to CR, March 9-18. We already have accomodations at Villas Sol/Playa Hermosa the 10-17.

I am waiting to hear back from the Rincon de la Viejo Mtn. Lodge about availability for March 9. My question for those "in the know" is, should I make a reservation now for a place to stay on March 17 (our last night there), preferably near the airport, as our flight leaves at 7AM...or would we be safe to wait until we get there and see about reserving somewhere for our last night?

Any suggestions on where might be good, or where definitely not to stay is appreciated.

Also, any recommendations on places to definitely go to see wildlife/nature would be appreciated. We are wildlife rehabilitators here in the states (from raptors/songbirds to deer to beavers), so have a more than average love of wildlife.

We span a range of 45 to 60 in age.

Thanks!
Beth
Wild at Heart Wildlife Rehabilitation
Polk Co., NC

Yes, make reservations now. March is still high season. I'm guessing you are staying on the Guanacaste side? There's a little "zoo" of rehabilitated animals there. If you end up near San Jose, there's an interesting parrot rehab place in Alejuela. But seeing animals in their natural habitat is really cool -- a boat trip through Cano Negro is a good place to see a lot of wildlife. I don't spend much time on the Guanacaste side, but while traveling through the center of the country, we often see wildlife from the car -- monkeys and sloths in trees, a male quetzal, coatis, etc. It's everywhere...
Sandy

Sandy

You are flying in and out of San Jose, but spending almost the entire week at Playa Hermosa? You're going to have a great time, of course, but it sure would be nice if you were in and out of Liberia airport! If that is the case (flying into SJO), just get yourselves a place near the airport and drive to Playa Hermosa the next day. Recommendations below.

DO make a reservation for that last night, as Sandy says. There's a group of us who will be staying at Hotel Villa Bonita the night of March 17. It's our favorite place just 5 min. from the airport and the owners are long time friends. Wonderful little B&B--why don't you see if Humberto has space? I know we have had our reservations for a few months. It would be fun to meet! We are going to a boda Tica that night (Costa Rican wedding).

www.hotelvillabonita.com

Also good, but a tiny bit further from the airport is las Orquideas. There was a recent good review for the 1912 Hotel in Alajuela also. I know Humberto has sent people over there when he has been full up. There are several really nice places near the airport, but you'll be having to get up and around so early, you really just need a comfy clean place to lay your heads!

Come to think of it, we are flying in on March 9 as well and staying at Hotel Villa Bonita that night--and the next. What airline are you flying in on and from where? Just curious!

Enjoy your trip!

as shillimac says if youre staying in Playa Hermosa you should fly intto Liberia Airport>

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/liberi...ort_costa_ric/

From Playa Hermosa, Papapagayo Tours and Avispas Adventures run tours to Rincon.

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/playa_...urs/index.html

You should also look at Santa Rosa Park, beautiful beach and on a clear day you can see Nicaragua.
Also, Miravalles Volcano can be combined with a trip to Bagaces Waterfall-Free entrance:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...aterfalls.html

I apologize, I didn't make myself very clear, and I am aware that there are two "Playa Hermosas". We are flying into Liberia and staying for 7 nights of our trip at Villas Sol/Playa Hermosa which is about 25 minutes from Liberia.

We are planning to spend most of our time in the Guanacaste area and perhaps day trips to places of interest just outside the area.

Shillmac, what areas will you be visiting?

So, anyone have any suggestions for a clean, decent place near the Liberia airport that I could see about getting a reservation for our last night?

Beth

Playa Hermosa is a 30 mins drive to Liberia Airport.
Why dont you stay in Hermosa and go straight to the airport?

I'd agree with Guanacaste--get right over to the beach! Stay a night at El Velero--right down on the water--looks like a fun place. We stayed at Villas del Sueno--nicer, but a 3 min. walk to the beach. Stay there your last night as well! It really is a short hop to the airport--I'd rather be at the beach than Liberia.

If you wanted to stay the first night in the Rincon area, I guess that's do-able, if you arrive early in the day. I'd not bother with it unless I arrived before noon. You can take day trips to there, and will, I'm sure. Gorgeous area! Have a great time!

We'll be down on the Osa (Bosque del Cabo) and Arenal. . .catch you next time!

For sure you should just stay put in Playa Hermosa your last night and head out the next morning for the airport. As Guanacaste says, it's just 30 minutes away.

Thank you for the recommendations and info. I have sent a query about availability for El Velero for our last night. Now to see about getting the rental car figured out.

To return it our last evening and arrange for other transportation from Hermosa to airport or try to find rental agency that opens at 5AM near airport.

Sure wish our departing flight wasn't so early...but it was all we could get.

Beth

If it would be better for you to spend that last night in Liberia (sounds like it would)--check out the Best Western. I think the name is Best Western Sitio or something like that. It looks funny to me now, but seems like I remember seeing that name. . .who knows? You can find it online by googling!

We stayed at the same place last year and are going again in February. Rent a car from Tricolor Car Rental, you can pick it up at the airport and drive to Playa Hermosa if you know the road, even if you don't, but DON'T DRIVE AFTER DARK!! 7:00 pm!!
You can get a taxi and they take you there for $40. If you rent from Tricolor, they deliver the car to the Villas, but you have to reserve it on line. Very safe and reliable. If you can stay at the Villas on the last night, you can drive to the airport and drop the car there. Safer than to wait for a taxi early morning.

I will be calling El Velero/Hermosa to confirm reservation for our last night tomorrow.

I have gotten information from Tricolor about renting a Nissan X-Trail during our stay. Their office doesn't open until 7:30am, so we will have to return car the evening before our leave (Cynthia said they will pick the car up from Playa Hermosa at no charge) and see about getting a Taxi to take us to the airport VERY early in the morning.

Unless someone has some other recommendation for private transport to the airport at about 4:30am?

Has anyone stayed at Rincon de la Viejo Mtn. Lodge or Guipachelin Lodge? Share your experience please. I am thinking of staying at one of these on our first night in CR.

Thanks so much for all the help!
Beth

At the reception at the Villas/Hotel you can reserve a taxi, but remind them in the morning again from 4:00 am. The airport is very small, you don't have to be there 2 hours earlier.